For the second night in a row the Wichita Wingnuts used a ninth inning rally to break a tie and take the team to victory. One night after a single by Ryan Khoury drove home two to give the Wingnuts a 3-1 win over Fargo-Moorhead, David Amberson’s single would put Wichita in the win column again.

The RedHawks got on the board first against Wingnuts starter Tim Brown. Erik Castro led off the inning with a double to left field, and scored when Petey Paramore singled to center. Brown then settled down to get the next three batters out and keep the game a 1-0 deficit.

The Wingnuts then scored a run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. In the fifth Brent Clevlen led off with a single and advanced to third on a single by Carlo Testa. Testa was thrown out trying to steal, but Chris McMurray followed with a single, sending Clevlen home to tie the score.

In the top of the sixth the Wingnuts would score again. Jake Luce reached first on an infield single, and looked like he was going to be stranded as Ryan Khoury flew to right field and Jake Kahaulelio struck out. However, Wichita put together a great two-out rally. David Espinosa singled to center sending Luce to third, and Clevlen followed with a single to center driving Luce home and giving the South Division leaders a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh the Wingnuts would add to their lead. McMurray singled to left field to start the inning. Chris McClendon forced McMurray, and then stole second for his 13th stolen base of the season. One out later Luce delivered with a single to right field to score McClendon, giving Wichita a 3-1 lead.

The Wingnuts looked like they were going to roll to victory, but Brown could not hold the lead. In the bottom of the seventh Sawyer Carroll led off the inning with a single and Brandon Tripp followed with a two-run home run, his sixth of the year. After giving up a single with two outs, Brown’s night was over. Daniel Bennett closed out the inning, but the score was tied at 3.

The score remained tied into the ninth inning, when Wichita would retake the lead. With one out McMurray walked and advanced to second on a comebacker by McClendon. Amberson then drove the game winner into right field, sending home McMurray.

With the score now 4-3 the Wingnuts turned to their closer to end the game. Matt Nevarez came in and recorded a 1-2-3 inning for his 20th save of the season. Bennett got the win to move his record to 4-0. Kevin Fuqua took the loss to drop to 5-2.

McMurray and Clevlen continued their hot run for the Wingnuts. McMurray had a hit in his fifth straight game. During the streak the Wingnuts catcher is 10-21 with four runs and three RBI. Clevlen has been hot since the All-Star break as well. In six games he is 14-23, with seven runs scored and 10 RBI, plus he has four home runs. The center fielder is making a strong case to be the league MVP with each game he plays.

Coupled with Laredo’s loss, the Wingnuts moved to 9.5 games in first in the South Division. This is truly becoming a one team race now as the Wingnuts have won three in a row and five of his last six.

By Robert Pannier
Senior Baseball Editor
Member of the IBWAA